2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Students’ Difficulties in Understanding the Fundamental Concepts and Limitation of Application of Appropriate Equations in Solving Heat Transfer Problems

Presented at MECH - Technical Session 5: Virtual Learning and Technology Integration

A significant number of undergraduate students have challenges when trying to understand the derivation and application limits of the thermal resistance concept, as well as recognizing the reasons why dimensionless parameters are used in many of formulas presented in the heat transfer textbooks. This paper provides an examination of the underlying causes of student misunderstandings and the instructional strategies used to improve student learning. The concept of thermal resistance is defined for flat walls, cylindrical shells, and spherical shells, under the assumption of one-dimensional, steady-state heat transmission in materials with uniform thermal conductivity and no heat generation. Therefore, the thermal resistance calculations have limitations, particularly in situations when there is heat generation. Dimensional analysis is frequently simplified, causing students to disregard the theoretical foundation for establishing dimensionless parameters. The paper summarizes the areas in which students encounter challenges and provides examples that can be employed to aid students in establishing a more comprehensive concept of the theoretical derivations and grasp of the limitations in solving heat transfer problems.

Authors

Dr. Amir Karimi The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

Amir Karimi, University of Texas, San Antonio
Amir Karimi is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1982. His teaching and research interests are in thermal sciences. He has served as the Chair of Mechanical Engineering (1987 to 1992 and September 1998 to January of 2003), College of Engineering Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (Jan. 2003-April 2006), and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies (April 2006-September 2013). Dr. Karimi is a Fellow of ASEE, a Fellow of ASME, senior member of AIAA, and holds membership in ASHRAE, and Sigma Xi. He has served as the ASEE Campus Representative at UTSA, ASEE-GSW Section Campus Representative, and served as the Chair of ASEE Zone III (2005-07). He chaired the ASEE-GSW section during the 1996-97 academic year.
Dr. Randall D. Manteufel http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9829-2723 The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

Dr. Randall Manteufel is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He has won several teaching awards, including the 2012 University of Texas System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award. and the 2013 UTSA President’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence, the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2019 College of Engineering Student Council Professor of the Year Award, 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award for College of Engineering, and 2004-2005 Mechanical Engineering Instructor of the year award, 1999 ASEE-GSW Outstanding New Faculty Award. Dr. Manteufel is a Fellow of ASME with teaching and research interests in the thermal sciences. In 2015-2016, he chaired the American Society for Engineering Education Gulf Southwest section and in 2018-2019 he chaired the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars at UTSA. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas.

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